Dr. Robert Smit

Professor

Biography

Robert H. Smit is a professional in international commercial investment treaty arbitration and transnational litigation. He has a wealth of experience as an independent international arbitrator and the director of Columbia Law School’s Center for International Commercial Investment Arbitration. Previously, he co-chaired the international arbitration and dispute resolution practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he was a partner and retired as a litigation partner. He has taught courses on international arbitration and transnational litigation as an adjunct professor and actively contributes to his field through publications, serving as co-editor-in-chief of the American Review of International Arbitration. Smit has held various leadership roles, such as a U.S. member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and chair of the New York City Bar Association’s International Commercial Disputes Committee. He is recognized in Chambers USA 2024 with a Band 1 ranking for arbitrators nationwide and regularly serves as an independent arbitrator in significant international arbitration cases.

Research Interests

Experience

Independent International Arbitrator
2016-01-01 — Present

Self-employed • New York, NY

Works as an independent arbitrator in various international commercial investment treaty arbitrations.

Partner, Chair, International Arbitration Practice
1989-01-01 — 2016-01-01

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett • New York, NY

Led the international arbitration practice and handled significant litigation cases.